The Problem LB area

[Ray78]

we have the answer at the club already

just tell lesscott if he wants to be in our 25 man squad he has to be in as our first choice left back

problem solved

boateng will be first choice rightback

Lescott isn't a left back. Moyes only played him there in a emergency and from what I saw he didn't look very comfortable.

 

[alera]

Aleksandar Kolarov is an acheiveable soloution is we are willing to pay enough - like £20 million +

Real Madrid what him but wont pay more than £15 million.

 

[Somud]

Aleksandar Kolarov is an acheiveable soloution is we are willing to pay enough - like £20 million +

Real Madrid what him but wont pay more than £15 million.

Coentrao from Portugal is achievable too.

 

[alera]

I cant see anyway we wont sign a new left back this summer TBH with the other players we have already brought in.

 

[Somud]

After seeing what Ozil did to Barry, I don't think Gaz Baz is the answer to our LB woes.

You got that right. He was so slow it was painful to watch. Almost surreal.<br /><br />-- Wed Jun 30, 2010 4:41 pm --<br /><br />

I cant see anyway we wont sign a new left back this summer TBH with the other players we have already brought in.

I don't think that negative attitude is appropriate. We won't have Sylvinho and Garrido next season either. And Bridge is trouble and I'm pretty sure Mancini feels the same. If we play one big tall full back like Boateng on the right, which is slightly more defensive, then it would be appropriate with a left back that bombs forward like Coentrao or someone similar.

 

[podgy_rodge]

Manchester City eye up Benfica rising star Fabio Coentrao - report
30 Jun 2010 13:55:00
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Photo GalleryZoomFabio Coentrao, Portugal(Getty Images)
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Manchester City have been impressed by Fabio Coentrao's World Cup 2010 form for Portugal and are prepared to spend £20 million to bring him to the club, according to The Mirror.

The 23-year old had been one of the rising stars of the tournament before Carlos Queiroz's side were knocked out by Spain last night. Comfortable at either left back or left wing, his form in South Africa followed a breakthrough season for Benfica.

Coentrao's recent displays had alerted Juventus, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, with the trio all mulling over a bid.

The Blues' financial mite ensures they can take the plunge and add his signature to that of David Silva, whose move from Valencia to Eastlands was confirmed on Wednesday.



it is goal but taking it from the mirror could have some substance, he looked really good in worldcup

 

[ST Coleridge]

Aleksandar Kolarov is an acheiveable soloution is we are willing to pay enough - like £20 million +

Real Madrid what him but wont pay more than £15 million.

I didn't think Kolarov really impressed at this World Cup - admittedly, that's judging him over three games. Bastos mightn't like the idea of being a fulltime fullback, though he's looked very good.

Coentrao might make it into the team of the tournament - great bursts, good passing/crossing and Portugal were one of the most defensively-sound teams in SA. Hopefully this will also put to bed the 'Luiz for left-back' rumours - Coentrao is the Benfica leftback and Luiz is a centreback, and for good reason.

Lyon's Cissokho always looks good in the CL, and Criscito looked good too. See - there's loads of good leftbacks!

Also: Let there be no more talk of Lescott at LB. The exciting wing-play and expert crossing would be too much for me to handle.

 

[Fuzzmaster101]

I have to say that I think Bastos has been one of the players of the tournament so far and that's defensively as well as in attack, in the last match he clearly outshined Maicon. I think Coentrao has looked ok going forward but not very secure defending. I'm aware however of the pitfalls of buying on tournament form and it's difficult to know how good Bastos would be at left back week in, week out.

 

[Lancet Fluke]

thats why we paid so much for Bridge, he IS one of the best.

Change the IS to a WAS and I reckon you're nearer the truth. Loads of injuries in recent years and he's lost a yard of pace and it really shows. I used to think he was really decent but now, he's barely better than Garrido and that is saying something. Even someone like Konchesky would be a better bet than Bridge going on last season's performances. You're right though, top class LBs are few and far between.

 

[Scooby Blue]

thats why we paid so much for Bridge, he IS one of the best.

Change the IS to a WAS and I reckon you're nearer the truth. Loads of injuries in recent years and he's lost a yard of pace and it really shows. I used to think he was really decent but now, he's barely better than Garrido and that is saying something. Even someone like Konchesky would be a better bet than Bridge going on last season's performances. You're right though, top class LBs are few and far between.

...not sure I get this at all.

Top quality right backs: Maicon , Alves erm... erm... erm...(maybe Sagna / Van der Wiel)
Top quality left backs: Evra / Clichy / Coentrao / Kieron Gibbs / Kolarov / Heinze / Taiwo / Michel Bastos (even though he normally plays further forward at club level) + loads of others that would be a massive upgrade on Bridge.

It is a lot easier to get quality left-backs than right backs:
Evra > Neville
Clichy > Sagna
Cole > Ivanovic / Ferreira / Bosingwa
Baines > Hibbert
Bale > Corluka

I think left back is by far the weakest position in our current squad, with right back (even after signing Boateng who would rather play CB) not far behind.